$13.6 million townhouse project breaking ground in Birmingham's Woodlawn community

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A new $13.6 million townhouse project is breaking ground in Woodlawn today.

The Park at Wood Station will be a 64-unit, mixed-income townhouse project. A site plan calls for the development to eventually span 15 different buildings.

The long-planned project of the Woodlawn Foundation will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. today. Birmingham Mayor William Bell will join the staff and board of the foundation at the ceremony at 6100 First Ave. South in Woodlawn.

"These homes are being developed for the community, by the community. That makes a big difference in our long-term goal of developing a sustainable Woodlawn that people will call home for generations," Sally Mackin, executive director of Woodlawn Foundation, said in a statement.

Woodlawn Foundation involved community members in the design of The Park at Wood Station. Montgomery's McKean & Associates is the architect. Northport-based Doug Hollyhand Realty is the General Contractor and Hollyhand Development is the developer.

"Great things are happening in Woodlawn, and breaking ground on Wood Station will serve as a significant milestone in the holistic revitalization that is underway," Leroy Abrahams, north central Alabama area president for Regions Bank, said in a release. "Regions is proud to serve as the equity provider for Wood Station."

Funding will also include $1.1 million in low-income housing tax credits from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority to help poorer families rent the homes at affordable rates. The first 64 units will be designated for families meeting the LIHTC program income requirements.

"The Alabama Housing Finance Authority is honored to play a part in creating housing opportunities for the 64 families of Wood Station," David C. Young, AHFA's multifamily administrator, said in a statement. "The ground-breaking ceremonies are only the beginning of what will soon be a thriving community."

There will be 28 two-bedroom units and 36 three-bedroom units, all more than 1,700 square feet and rents will be less than $600 per month. Plans for green space and additional community facilities will also be incorporated into long-range plans.

The Woodlawn Foundation is the lead organization for the Woodlawn United comprehensive community change effort, which follows the Purpose Built Communities three-point model of quality mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education and community wellness.